Chapter Bobby
Bobby
Pulling up to the address Teaghan provided I chuckled a little.
She could be living in a much better place, but I had already got the rundown on Teaghan.
She was a rebel, a renegade. Not impressed with flashy or living within her standards.
A man with my background should appreciate that but a part of me felt bad that she wasn’t able to enjoy the hard work that had been laid before her.
Knocking on the door, I slipped my hand in my trousers and waited.
It was one p.m. on the dot, and being on time was at the top of my priority list. Now that I was being groomed to be governor, timeliness was just as important as speaking with the people I needed to vote for me.
The door slowly opened, and I was taken away from her impeccable style.
“Shall we?” I asked, offering my arm. As she grabbed my arm, I got a whiff of the Marc Jacobs perfume she wore. “You smell amazing.”
“Wooing me from the gate, huh?” she laughed, and she was absolutely correct. Right now my life was moving at a fast pace and the only thing that was missing was a beautiful, established woman on my arm. Soon I would be the governor of Coupeville and I needed a wife or one on the way.
When Mrs. LeJune explained she had an eligible daughter, I blew it off. I liked things to happen naturally. My whole life had been organic, and I wanted my relationships to be no different. It wasn’t until I laid eyes on her at the brunch that I remembered meeting her years ago.
Back then, I was still focused on school and the goals I had for myself and myself only, that I didn’t give her a second look.
But the brunch changed that. She was gorgeous, her beautiful smooth skin, slanted eyes, and delectable lips.
However, it was more than that. She had her own mind and own dreams.
Her father hated that, but I loved it more than I cared to explain. Women threw themselves at me, but not Teaghan - I had to buy a date. But as her perfume continued to travel to my nose and make me dizzy, I knew I would pay for it again.
“No point in wasting time. If I show you who I am from the beginning you’ll never forget,” I winked as I opened the door allowing her entry first.
“Who are you really? Car service? Do you have a bodyguard?”
“I’m Bobby Harlow, future president. Nice to meet you,” I said with a laugh.
My larger than life material things were just that apart of the life.
My father was a wealthy man that left his riches to me his only son.
Instead of spending it on a fleet of cars or silly things I invested it and decided to put myself through as much school as I could.
“Nice to meet you but you forget my father is the governor, so I know what that looks like. You are one fly candidate. Something doesn’t add up.”
“I come from money, Teaghan,” I answered simply.
“Noted, but that doesn’t matter to me. Who are you without the money?
” she asked, and I smirked. It was the rebel in her, and damn, I was impressed.
Her eyes weren’t wide or big in size with my watch or my Italian suit or the fancy car service.
I could do without all of it myself but now I was accustomed to it.
“I’m a humble man that likes football, basketball, talking shit, and eating at hole-in-the-wall spots for lunch.
After you,” I said as we pulled up to Tar Hills.
It was one of my favorite off-the-grid seafood spots in town.
I wasn’t in town a lot due to running my business and being vocal in the campaigns.
But when I came back this was always my go-to spot.
I hoped she enjoyed it. It was quiet and my best chance at making her see this for more than an obligation.
“What’s your angle? You are way too good with your words. Better than any politician I know of.”
“My angle is to feed you, talk about what you love and hate, and see if I can talk my way into a second date. Is that the answer you were looking for?”
“No, but it will do for now. Why me?”
“Why the hell not you? Have you looked at yourself lately?” Teaghan was modest, but she didn’t have to be. She could brag and not be telling one lie. I hadn’t found one thing about her I wouldn’t mind looking at every day until I was old and gray.
“I also claim to be very humble. I can’t keep a man, so something’s wrong with me,” she explained, averting her gaze.
Normally, that statement would have turned me off.
I wore the cloak of confidence at all times.
She would need that also if she stopped playing.
However, because her father had left no stone unturned when spilling the many details of Teaghan, I didn’t.
“No woe is me shit today. I don’t know what happened before, and it’s not important.
Let's eat,” Ms. Loci already knew what I wanted, so it took her no time to bring the spread of oysters, shrimp, lobster, and corn to the table.
I removed my suit jacket, doing my best to show her that I was a normal guy who didn’t mind getting my hands dirty in order to be the one she thought about when she lay alone at night.
“So I’m sure my parents told you all about me. What do I need to know about you other than you love seafood, are rich, and want the dreadful job of governor?”
“Let’s see, I’m thirty-one. I’m the only child, and my father passed away years ago, leaving me with more money than I know what to do with.
I’m single but not lonely. Me being a governor came out of nowhere.
My stepfather got me into politics. Always keeping up with the who and what’s of the world.
I wanted to be a dentist. But here I am looking to climb all the way to the presidency. ”
“Why are you single? You seem to have it all figured out.”
“It’s easy to figure shit out. It’s simple - write it down.
But does it all work out? Hell no, but shit, I can say I tried to do something.
And me being single is because I have it figured out.
I don’t use my accomplishments to capture anybody but myself.
What you see today is who I am. Women hate that I’m different.
I don’t throw my money around. The struggle is real out here to find someone. Why are you single?”
“I wish I knew. For a minute, I thought I knew why. I’m overbearing and throw myself into situations that have nothing to do with me.
The night you called, I guess you could say I had a boyfriend.
A person I just knew would be the one, and then it ended.
So although I did everything different I’m still by myself,” she shrugged.
“That doesn’t sound like it’s your fault.
Men want women that can be mothers and then don’t want it when they get it.
I’m thankful that my mother and I have a good relationship.
I need a wife, not another mother. Don’t sweat it.
He could be right in your face, just gotta lift your gaze,” I explained.
She hadn’t made much eye contact since we got to the restaurant.
And it was clear something was on her mind.
Whoever he was, was owed a thank you from me.
He removed himself. Now I didn’t have to do it myself.
She didn’t know it yet, but her heart needed to be repaired and I was willing to do it.
I knew once she finally opened her eyes she would see that we were a match made in heaven.